Binding machine



C. E. EMMER BINDING MACHINE July 22, 1952 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 30, 1949 July 22, 1952 E, E MER 2,603,800

BINDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 30, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented July 22, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT BINDING Charles Edward; Emmer, Chicago,1.11.;ts s'ignor to General "Bimlingt.(Jol'p(nation, Chicago; III a corporation of Illinois Application D'ecenlber w, 1949?, Serial No;- 1363001 V (CI.11'-1)" v This invention :relates'to improvements in bindingmachines and more particular-lywrelates to an improved binding;- machine adapted" to spread plastic binding elements for the impali-ng of sheets-to be bound thereon-andhavi-ng a novel form and arrangement of means for feedingthe binding 'elementsone'by one for spreading; together with an index-ingmeans for indexing the binding elements into' position for openingand inn-paling the sheets to be bound thereon.

Heretofore, in bindingbooks with plastic bind ing elements having a backbone: extending the length of the binding element and spaced rings extending therefrom, the'rings-pf thebinding element-are usually opened or spread to permit the sheets to 'be'bound tohe impaled-'thereen bymeans ofa spreading device commonly-called a binding machine. The spreading device usually has a; plurality of upright fingers-acting as a holding means for the backbone of the binding element and extendingbetween the rings thereof and eng-aging: the backbone thereof fer spreading; The rings are usually spread by meansef a ,plurality-qf hook -like fi'ngers engageable with the insides: of the -rings-and then movable -.long-itudi nally to; spread orbpen the-rings while the backbone bi the bindings-element is held bythe backbonelholdingimeans. binding machinezi-tself meme operated nlannallyr or by v power, but due i heligh't rwight oif -the binding-elements it has chines alitornatic or even semiautomatic. This is aniaceoufit ofithed-ifficuliir' (ifffdin gtheflig ht binding .lliliitS one by. blri .SO their, willlf'allllinto the pr'o'pe'r" posifien'betweenuie fingersiof the binding machine This islparticiilarlytr'iie with b inding" eIm'e'h't's df' 'sfiiall diameters Jana sl'ibrt lengths, Wliih'vijz "seldom" come to rest in the" Samehh'Sitibn, A't ti'n'f's' the b'a'ickb'b'fie pidpl' 6f the. binding element will come" to a stop against the baok'boneiholdingmeans and"attinies the r1ngs"triemse1ves'--wmran "170' face the backbone Ifcldingmeans; which is the position desired; and at otlier times only one edge of the backbone will chine to stop against thfe hdlding t'meansj'pre' Vnfii'n'gt e' blnding elemefit frdm ifidefiin'gfitself enemy -between -the fingers of 'the backbone holding means, V r

Mymrestitinventitm has 'a's dne" Of its objects te'evercome tlie'se diffic'ulties by 'previding a nove'l anwsimple form ef 'means fer' feedi gfl'lhe 'bindfng elements one at a -tinie *all'owing-tliem to drop against- 1me ibaclbone holding means i'dr. :trie bi'hdingi'element; ana nyt proviaing a simp beenthoug htlpractia l .temake such ma- I I the-machine, which refines the binding 7 against tliebackb'one holding means andfiioves it of:movable indeizing' device' uponwhich a biiiding i mgures' landrze element mops unden contrcl of the operatorwf and intoposition to set and 'indxrits'elfwith theiings thereof 'between and beyond the backbone h'olding meansand the fingers ofthe backhohe hold ing meansextending between the rings and'e'ii. gaging and holdingtheinside'oiltheb'ackbone.

and-feeding. .means fo'r masitiehmain' elements;

arranged tb feed and'indeX the ngf'e'le "ents one at a tiine a positive and uniform in rfiier into the proper position foropening dr'spre'adihg;

new and improved semi-automatic bindingma chine having a novlformo f ieedi'ng'niean's therefor arranged'to feed tlie binding elmem'sin' pdsi? tioh 'fe'r spreading one at a "tinieunder control of the operator "of the machine.- A still Iiirtherbldject ormy' inventions to pro; vide'a new and inmroved fo'rniofa senii=afite mafia hifidingfrfiachiriewi'thia'nbvl fbrnt'o'f feed mg; andiifiaexirig means automatieally and 1 u formly hibiiiiig'each'bindifig lelemeiit'inttf'pos betweenithefbadkbbrie h'dldr ()fth 1b Dd iiig 'n'iaelfirie'for' spreading orppenin its permit the'sheets to be bound to be impaled thereon; -A sun fiir'the'r olij'ecto'f myi v dn fo= vide a nov'elfo'rrn of indexing id'evi'c' 'adafite b u'fiifrmlfi'andipo s ii'l'elS 'UOS'itibIi plastic el'emen'ts infto th i'bpei po'sitioiifofoperiin gb'r spreading. foftheimpalifig oi "the 'sheets'te e boundtl'rere'o'nl v L, These. and""o'therobjects" of my invention will appearffrbm'timeitd'tinie as fthefollowing'speei fication' proceeds andwith' reference madam panying drawings wherein: 4 I Figure 1 is atop'planvi'ew 'o'fa' binding machine having 'a feeding and indexing'means'ecms'tinfcted in "accordance with" my; invention embotdiii therein; g Figure 2 "is "a riamnehtar substantiany icing: tudinal sectional vi'ew taken throii'gh the binding machine shown in Figured;

Figure 3' is an enlarged "fragmentary national view of the: machine" showiri 11W'ith' certain parts thereof broken" away cei'tain oth'ilpafts sh'own ihlsiildstaiitiallji ll'on'gi tildi'nall'sectiomlin oraer' te -shew iftaindetails oi the feeding. means n the 'liairidiiig" elefiiiit;

Figure 4 an enlarged fragmentary delta il .viev v;showing-v certain -.detai1sof the index g means: for f-the: bindingl welements;not shqw'szn e As shown on the drawings:

A binding machine I is shown in Figures 1 and 2 as comprising a casing ll having an inclined table I2 at the forward end thereof on which the sheets to be bound are placed for impaling on the upright ends I3|3 of the spread rings [4-14 of a binding element l5. 7

The binding elements l5-l5 may be made from sheets of thermo-plastic material, preferably of a non-explosive and slow burning type, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 have a backbone portion I6 extending along the outside of the bound volume at the back thereof, with the spaced rings I4-l4 extending therefrom.

The binding machine H] has a plurality of laterally spaced fingers l9-l9 extending upwardly from the table 12 and adapted to engage the backbone l6 of the binding element between the, rings l4-I4 thereof and to hold the backbone in an upright position, so the rings may be uncurled or spread with the ends l3l3 extending upwardly from the table [2, to receive the sheets of paper to be bound. When the backbone holding fingers I 9-49 are in engagement withthe backbone of the binding element, with the rings thereof extending forwardly of said fingers, the backbone holding fingers are moved transversely of the table [2 to move the rings I l-I4 into engagement with the transversely extending ends of spreading fingers 29. The spreading fingers are movable longitudinally of the table, to uncurl or open the rings, with the backbone thereof held in an upright position by the backbone holding'fingers l9|9.

The binding machine 10 may be of any well known form and is herein shown as being of a type somewhat similar to that shown and described in a prior application Serial No. 773,578, filed by me on March 10 1947, so is only herein shown and described insofar as is necessary to make my present invention readily understandable. A backbone holding element 2| from which theupright fingers l9l 9 extend is herein shown as extending upwardly from and being mounted on a transversely movable bar 22 suitably guided beneath the top of the table l2 for transverse movement with respect thereto. The bar 22 and fingers I9I9 are moved transversely of the table 12 to position the rings for engagement with" the transversely extending ends, of the spreading fingers 20-20 by means of a spring (not'show'n) acting against a cam 23 formed on one face of a sector 24. The sector'24 is'freely mounted on a transverse shaft 25 suitably journaled in opposite side wall 26-46 of the casing H.

The spreading fingers 20-20 may be mounted on" andrproject angularly upwardly and rearwardly from a longitudinally movable member 21 slidably guided on laterally spaced transverse shafts 2828 spaced beneath the top of the table I2 and extending longitudinally thereof in parallel relation with respect thereto. A link 29 is pivoted to the sector 24 at one of it ends and has a'slot 30 at its opposite end, engaging a pin or bolt 3| extending from a lug 3|, depending from the member 21. The slot 30 in the link 29 i provided to delay longitudinal movement of the spreading fingers 2020 until the cam 23 has moved into position to allow the backbone holding fingers l9l9 to move laterally and move the binding element into position' to come into engagement with the transversely-extending ends of said spreading fingers. Another link 33 pivoted to the sector 2401 provided to move said sector about the axi of the shaft 25. Said link may be operated by a suit able system of levers (not shown), either operated manually or by power. Said operating means is not herein shown or described since it is no part of my present invention.

Spaced above and rearwardly of the table 12 and extending in the same angular direction as said table is a feeding plate34 along which the binding elements are adapted to move and drop therefrom one at a time into position to engage the fingers I9l3 and index themselves therebetween for spreading. The feeding plate 34 is l mounted on the] top of the casing II, or may be a part thereof, and is shown as having a blank receiving hopper 35 extendin across it upper or receiving end and'forming a magazine feeder for the binding elements l5-i5. The hopper 35 has a rear wall 36 herein shown as extending vertically of the feeding plate 34 and a front wall 31 extending parallel thereto with its lower end spaced above said feeding plate to allow the bonding elements to pass thereby. The front wall 31, as herein shown, has a plate 38 mounted thereon for vertical adjustment with respect thereto, in accordance with the diameter of the binding elements being spread, to allow one row of binding elements only to move down.- wardly along the feeding plate 34. The plate 38- is held in its various desired positions of adjustment by bolts and wing nuts indicated generally by reference characters 40-40 and extending through vertical slots 4 l"-4l in the wall 31; The blank receiving hopper 34 also has one fixed side wall 42 with a side guide plate 43 extending-forwardly therefrom, forwardly of said hopper, to form a guide for one side of the binding element. It also has an opposite side wall 44 slidably mounted between the rear and front walls of said hopper for adjustable movement therealong to take care of various lengths of binding elements. The wall 44 is adjustable along slots 45-45 extending along the front and rear wall 31 and 36 and is held in fixed relation with respect thereto on bolts and wing nuts indicated by reference characters 46-46. Aside guide plate 53 is shown'as extending forwardly of the'adjustable side Wall 44, and with the side guide plate 43 forms an adjustable guide for the ends of the binding element as they leave the hopper 35-and pass downwardly along the feeding plate 34,. The side guide plate 53 has a vertical slot 54 formed therein to receive the plate 38 when adjusted for smaller binding elements than those shown in the drawings. l

Extending across the'forward ends of the guide plates 43 and 53 is a vertically movable bar 55 governing the binding elements l4 leaving the hopper 35, and herein called a stop and go bar for convenience. The stop and go bar 55 has opposite inwardly turned end portions 5656 extending rearwardly therefrom and depending therefrom from which extend arms 51'51 herein shown as being continuations thereof and extending rearwardly therefrom to a point adjacent the rear end of the casing H. The arms 51-57 have upwardly extending rear end portions 58-58 pivotally mounted attheir upper ends on-sleeves 5959 mounted on a transverse shaft 60 The transverse shaft 60 is mounted at its opposite ends in angularly extending slots 6l6l formed inopposite side Walls 26-26 of the casing H in parallel relation with respect, to the feed-plate. The slots 6l6l afford. a means for adjusting the stonlend so her 5 .withlrespectrto a transverse indexing roller 83 with respect to the backbone holding fingers 19-19. V

The pins 95-05 are so positioned with relation to the supporting surface of the gap closing plate 9 1; and its axis of pivotal connection to the indexing roller 93 and also with respect to theaxis. of pivotal movement of thelinks- 84-84 that the gap between the discharge, end ofthe feeding plate 34 orthe, forward end of the stop and drop bar 65 will always be closed to anextent suffi cient to prevent a binding element 15 of the requiz-ed size from dropping in the space thereb'etweenin, all-positions of the indexing roller 83 with respect to the backbone holding fingers 19-19.

A motor '1, which maybe a fractional horse power electric motor having a speed reducer in corporated therein, is herein shown as being provided to drivethe indexing roller 83 by means of a yieldable belt 99 in the form of a closed tension;

spring having suificient tension to rotatably drive the indexing roller-83 in all positions of adjustment thereof with respect to the motor 91.;

It may be seen from the foregoing that as the stop and drop bar 65 is moved downwardly to a position so that its top is on a level with the top of the plate 3411, the binding element 15 may drop from the end of said'plate along the more steeplyinclined gap closing plate 91 into engagement with the indexing roller 83 and against the The index backbone holding fingers 19-19. ing roller 83' rotating at a relatively slow speed will then rotate the binding element 15 against the backbone holding fingers 19-19. into position for the rings of the binding element to pass between said fingers, regardless of .the position or. of the relation of thebackbone of the binding elementwithrespect to said backbone holding fingers, as it is discharged fromthe end of the plate 34.. The binding element 15 -is thus compelled by virtue of its rotatable moveme'ntim parted ;by the indexing roller 83 to change its position almost instantaneously as it comes into contact with said rollerand to properly index itselfwith respect to the backbone holdingv fingers 10-19 with its rings between and beyond said a backbone holding, fingers and with its backbone in engagement therewith, ready for the spread 'ing'cycle. V o It may be seenfrom Figure 2 that when plate;

and the guide 5 3 are properlyadjusted to the required width of the desiredbindingelement to beIspread and the stop and go and. the stopand d op. ar a the e n erit a pro e ly'setffor the diameter of the binding elementto be spread, that the hopper 34 may then be loaded with a' plurality of binding elements, as shown.

Upon depression of the lever 8 0, thesitop andv go bar 55 and the stop and drop bar 65 will bo th move downwardly with one bindingfe'lement.

dwelling'temporarily betweenrthe two bars, the

stop and go bar preventing additional binding elements from sliding beyond it. At thelend of downwardj'travel of said, bars, the binding ele ment dwelling between the two bars will fallf orslide down the gap closing'pl'ate 9 1 vonto the re; tatable indexing roller 83 against thebackbbne' holding fingers 10-19 of the working head of the:

indexing machine. Th'e'hand may then be 'renioved from the lever 80. h The springs 10-10; and '11-'11 will raise thestop and'go 'ana'sto'p and drop bars; to the positions shown -i n"Figu're 2, allowing another binding element to move;

downwardly along the feeding plate "34 and rest against-the stopand drop bar 65. -Thebinding element resting on therotating indexing .roller 83 against the backbone holding fingers 10-1-19 will then be rotated into position for the rings" thereof to extend between said fingers and said fingers coming into engagement with the inside of the backbone tohold the binding element in;

position for spreading. At this time the sector 24 and cam 23 may be turned in a clockwise direction by operation of the link 33. This will caliselateral movement of the backbone holdin fingers 19-19 with respecttoflthe plate 12 and will bring the insides of the rings 14-14 into position to'be engaged by the laterally turned ends Continued movement of said sector will move the spreading of I the spreading fingers 20-20.

fingers 20-20 longitudinally along the plate [2 to unc'url or spread the rings with the upright inner ends 16-10 thereof extending upwardly fromv the plate 12 for the insertion of the sheets ,1

to be boundthereon. V

Adjustableside guides for the binding elements may be removably mounted on the fingers 19-19 or may be adjustably mounted on the gap closing plate 91. i As herein shown upright guides.

101-101 are adjustably mounted on the plate 91. and extend upwardly and forwardly therefrom toward the fingers 19-19. Said guides are shown as having slotted bases 102-102 extending outwardly therefrom and held in position by wing nuts 103-103.

It will be understood that modifications an variations may be effected without departing from the scope and novel concepts of the present invention. a V

' I claim as my invention:

1. In an indexing device adapted to position plastic binding elements having a backbone'withspaced rings extending therefrom foropening and spreading of the rings and impaling of sheets thereon, holding means for the backbone of the binding element shaped to extend between the rings of the binding element and engage the backbone thereof, tohold the binding element during the spreading operation, and a binding,

element rotating means operatively associated with the holding means and adapted to support and rotate each individual binding element against said backbone holding means and to uniformly bringit into position to index itself withthe rings thereof between and beyond the backbone holding means, ready for the spreading,

cycle. 7

2. In an indexing device adapted to position plastic binding elements having a backbone with] spaced rings extending therefrom for opening. and spreading of the rings and impaling of sheets thereon, holding means for the backbone of the binder shaped to extend between the rings of the binding element and engage the backbone there'.-.

of to hold the binding element during the spreading operation, an indexing roller at the receiving end of said backbone holding means adapted tosupport each individual binding element against.

the backbone holding means, and a motor conn'ected'to drive said roller and causesaid roller.

to rotatably move each individual binding element.

into position to passbetween said backbone holding means and cause the backbone thereof to come into engagement with said backbone holding means, With the rings thereof extending therebeyond' V i V p h 3, In an'indexingdevice adapted toposition plastic binding elements having a backbone with spaced rings, extending therefrom for opening; and spreading of the rings and impaling of sheets aooasoo binding element l's hape'd' to extend between the vrings ofthetbindingfelement and engage the backbone thereof-to hold the binding element H during. the spreading operation, an inclined feed- .ing-z-plate along which the binding elements are radaptedto move into position to engage said-back- -;b.0ne:ho1ding means, and a constantly rotating indexing roller interposed between the discharge send of said feeding plate-and saidbackbone holding-means to rotatably move each binding elesmentagainst said backbone holding means and tspacedwringsextending therefrom for opening and spreadingof the rings and impalingof sheets A thereon, holding means for "the backbone of the binding-element shaped to extend betweenthe rings of the binding elementand engage the backbone thereof to hold the binding element durs-ing thespreading operation, an inclined feeding iplate adapted to support binding "elements and :having a-"discharge end, means for discharging the-elements from thedischarge end of said plate -rone-at :a time, anindexing roller interposed between thedischarge end-of said feeding plate and :saidbackbone holdingmeans: and adapted to have 'lthefibindingrelementsdrop from :said platethereon; andmeans for driving said roller to 'rotatably 'rmovethe binding element thereon: against said backbone holding-meansand bring it intoposi- :tion for its backbone. to come into engagement *witlrsaidtbackbone holding means, with-the-rings athereof extending-therebeyond.

' 5:In'; an indexing device adapted top'os'ition :pla'stic binding elements having a backbonewith sp'a'ced rings extending therefrom .for opening and-spreading of the rings and impaling' of sheets -thereon,' holding means for't-he backbone-of the binding-i element adapted to extend between the ringsoftthezbinding elementand engage the backbonethereoi' to hold the. binding element during thezspreading-operation, an inclined feedingplate having a discharge end, an indexing roller having its periphery disposed beneath the discharge end of said feeding plate and interposed between the "discharge end thereof andsaid backbone holdmg-means, means for discharging the elements from the discharge end of said plate one at a' time I onto said roller and against' said backbone holding means, and-means for-driving said roller-to *rota'tably move the binding element thereon a'gainst said backbone holding means andbring it into position for its backbone to come into-engagenintwirith said backbone 'holding means,

-- wan the rings thereof extending therebeyond.

ffiilnzan indexing device adapted to position "plastic binding elements having backbones with spacecl'q'ings extending therefrom for opening and-spreading the rings and impaling of sheets fthereongholding means" for the backbone of 'the "bindingelement-adapted to extend between the rings of the binding element and engage the -'backbon'e thereof,- to'hold the binding element during the spreading operation, an inclined feedingplate having 7 a discharge end, an indexing roller'interposed between the discharge end of said feeding plate and said backbone holding means, and having its periphery disposed beheath-the dischargeend of said plate, -a' support 'l'ilat'e' closing the gap betweensaid feeding plate .andindexing roller, means for discharging the elements fseriatimfrom the discharge end of said'feeding plate along said support plate into said roller and against said backbone holding means, andra motor connected to rotatably drive said rollerv to rotatably move each binding'elementndropping thereon against said backbone saidfeeding .plate and said gapsclosing plate to .holdingmeans and bring it into position for its backbone to come into engagement withsaid backbone holding means, with the rings thereof extending therebeyond.

7. Inan indexing device adapted to position plastic binding elements having backbones with spacedrings extending therefrom'for opening and spreading of the rings and-'impaling of sheets thereon, holding means for the backbone of the binding element adapted'to extend between the rings ofthe. binding element and engage the backbone thereof to hold the binding elements during the.spreadingoperation, aninclined'feeding platehaving a discharge. end spaced from said backbone holding means, an indexing roller having-its periphery disposed beneath said. feeding plate i and adjacent said backbone holdingfmeans, means for moving said roller toward. or from saidbackbone holding means to adjust saidroller for-various sizes of binding elements, a gap closing plate between the dischargev end \ofQsaid feeding plate and the periphery of said'roller, and a-motor fordriving-said roller tov rotatably move said binding element against said backbone holding means and bring it into position to :come into engagement with 'said backbone holding means,with.the rings thereof extending-therebeyond.

8. In an indexing device adapted to position 7 plastic binding elements having backbones-with spaced rings extending therefrom for opening and spreading of the rings and impaling of sheets thereon, holding means for the backbone of .thebinding elementadapted to extend between the rings of the binding elementand engage the backbone thereof to hold the-binding element "having its periphery disposed beneath said feeding plate and adjacent said backbone holding means, (means .for moving said roller toward or ,from'said backbone holding means toadjust said roller for various-sizes of binding elements, a; gap closing ,plate interposed between the discharge end of said-feeding plate and the periphery roi said roller and mounted for movement with said roller upon adjustable movement thereofitoward or from said backbone holding means, means slidably engaged bysaid j gap closing plateaand holding it in position, said means being so located with respect to said roller anddeeding plate asrto maintainthe gap betweenthe end of cause the: bindingelements:sufliciently ICIOSGQJJO .drop on: said; gap closing plate :into': engagement with saidr-roller in al-lipositions of; adiiustment'r of :saidsroller with respect to; said backbone holdin of the'binding'element adaptedto'extend'between the'rings of thebinding elementandengag'ethe backbone thereof to hold the binding 1 element iiduringzthe spreading operation-an inclined ifee'daooaeoo i plate alon which the binding elements are adapted to move into engagement with said backbone holding means and having a discharge end spaced-therefrom, an indexing roller disposed ad- 'jjacent said backbone holding means and having jit's outer periphery disposed beneath the disbackbone holding means to adjust the position of said roller with respect thereto to accommodate said roller to varying sizes of binding elements, and a motor connected to rotatably drive saidindexing roller to rotatably move the binding elementagainst said backbone holding means and bring it into position to come into engagement with said backbone holding means, with the ringsthereOf extending therebeyond. 10. In an indexing device adapted to position plastic binding elements having backbones with spaced rings extending therefrom for opening and spreading of the rings and impaling of sheets thereon, holding means for the backbone of the binding element adapted to extend between therings of the binding element and engage the backbone thereof to hold the binder during the Jspreading operation, an inc1ined feeding plate along which the binding elements are adapted to ,move'into engagement with said backbone holding means and having a discharge end spaced therefrom, an indexing roller disposed adjacent said backbone holding means and having its out- 3 erperiphery disposed beneath the discharge end of said feeding plate, a transversely pivoted link forming an adjustable support for said roller,

means for moving said link toward and from said backbone holding means to adjust the position of said roller with respect thereto, to accommodate said roller to varying sizes of binding elements, a

'gap closing plate pivotally connected to said link and closing the gap between the discharge end of said feeding plate and said indexing roller, means supporting said gap closing plate for slidable movement with said link and roller, said support means being so positioned with respect to said plate and said plate being so positioned with respect to said roller as tomaintain the space between the discharge end of said feeding plate and the receiving end of said support plate sufficient- 1y close as to prevent the smallest binding elements from dropping therethrough in all posiftions of said indexin roller with respect to said Fbackbone holding means, and a motor connected "to drive said indexing roller to rotatably move the binding element against the backbone holding means and bring it into position to come into engagement with said backbone holding means,

with the rings of said binding element extending therebeyond.

l-1. In an indexing device adapted to position plastic binding elements having backbones with 1 spaced rings extending therefrom for opening 'and spreading of the rings and impaling of sheets thereon, holding means for the backbone of the binding element adapted to extend between the rings of the binding element and engage the nection from said motor to said indexingroller, a transversely pivoted link forming an adjustable support for said roller, means for moving said link toward and from said backbone'holding means and for holding it iniposition to adjust the position of said roller with respect thereto to accommodate said roller to varying sizes of binding elements, a gap closing plate pivotally mounted on said link and closing the gap between the discharge end of said feeding plate and said indexing roller, means supporting said gap closing plate for slidable movement with said link and'roller, and said support means being so positioned with respect tosaid plate and said plate being so positioned with respect to said roller as to maintain the space between the discharge end of said feeding plate and the receiving end of said support plate sufi'iciently close to prevent the smallest binding elements from dropping therethrough in all positions of said indexing roller with respect to said backbone holding means, and a spring maintaining said gap closing plate in slidable engagement with spaced rings extending therefrom for opening and spreading of the rings and impaling of sheets thereon, holding means for the backbone of the binding element adapted to extend between the rings of the binding element and engage the backbone thereof, to hold the binding element during the spreading operation,'an inclined feeding plate inclined downwardly toward said backbone holding feeding means and disposed in alignment therewith, an indexing roller interposed between the lower discharge 'en'd of'said V feeding plate and said backbone holding means an'd'having its periphery disposed beneath the discharge end of said plate, a motor, a drive connection from said motor to said roller, means for discharging the binding elements from the feeding plate one by one onto said roller for indexing and spreading including two spaced vertically movable bars extending across said feeding plate and mounted for vertical movement with respect thereto, and means for moving said bars in synchronism and moving one bar into position to allow a binding element to drop from the end of said plate into said roller and the other bar into position to hold the other binding elements from movement along said feeding plate. 13. In an indexing device adapted to position plastic binding elements having backbones with spaced rings extending therefrom for opening and spreading of the rings and impaling of sheets thereon, holding means for the backbone of the binding element adapted to extend between the rings of the binding element andengage the backbone thereof to hold the binding element during the spreading operation, an inclined feeding plate inclined downwardly toward said backbone holding means and disposed in horizontal alignment therewith, an indexing roller interposed between the lower discharge endof said feeding plate and said backbone holding means and having its peripheryrdisposed beneath the discharge end of said plate, a motor, azdrive connection from said motor to said roller, and means for discharging the binding elements seriatim from the lower discharge end of the plate onto said roller for indexing and spreading, including two longitudinally spacedpivoted vertically movable bars extending transversely of said feeding ing movable toward said'fee'ding plate as said first bar moves away from said-plate, to hold: the remaining binding elements ons'aid plate-from "droppingbeyond the-end thereof; and meansfor moving-said bars in unison"toward"--and away *"from'said plate. a

' 14: Afeeding device-adaptedto feed a plurality of plasticbinding elements -one-at a time for spreading thereof and the impaling of the sheets -to--be bound thereon, afrarne having an inclinedfeeding plateextending therealongja bind-ing elementhopper on said plate and having guide means extending therefrom along said plate, serving to guide the binding elements as-they -move'along, two longitudinally spaced bars piv- 'ota'lly mounted on I said frame and extending transversely of said feeding'plate, one being disposed adjacent the discharge end thereof and'the other being spaced rearwardlytherefrom, and means operatively connected with said bars to move said bars in unison and move said bar at the; discharge. end of said plate. away therefrom j15. A- feeding device-adapted to feed a -plurality" of binding elements one at a time for spreading thereof and the impaling of the sheets to be bound thereon, a frame having an inclined feeding plate extending therealong, a binding element hopper on said plate and having guide means extending therefrom along said plate, and serving to guide the binding elements as they move therealong, two longitudinally spaced bars extending transversely of said feeding plate, one being disposed adjacent the discharge end thereof and the other being spaced rearwardly therefrom, arms extending from said bars and pivotally mounting said bars on said frame for vertical movement toward and from said frame, a yieldable means interposed between said frame and bars and urging said bar at the discharge end of said plate in position to block the binding elements from discharging therefrom and urging said other bar in position to allow the binding elements to pass thereby, and other means operatively connected with said two bars to move the bar at the discharge end of said plate against said yieldable means in position to allow a binding element to drop therefrom and to move said other bar against said yieldable means into position to block the next succeeding binding ele ment from dropping from the end of said plate.

16. An indexing device adapted to position plastic binding elements for opening and spreading thereof and impaling of sheets thereon including an inclined feeding plate having a discharge end, a plurality of backbone holding teeth spaced beneath and in advance thereof, and a rotatably driven roller interposed between the discharge end of said feeding plate and said holding teeth adjacent the lower ends thereof and adapted to have supporting engagement with the individual binding elements movable along said plate and to rotate each binding element against said fingers into position so that the rings of the binding element may pass therebetween with said teeth engaging the inside of the backbone thereof and the rings of the binding elementextending beyond said teeth: -ready for-the spreading cycle.

1'7. 1 In a binding. machine 'adapt'edto =.spread rings of plastic binding. elements having a curved backbone-with spaced rings extending therefrom to'penmit sheetsto be impaled thereon, said binding machine having a plurality of; laterally spaced upright backbone holding teethadaptedto. engage the 'backbo-neof thebinding elements between the rings thereof and having apl urality of spreading fingers adapted to engage and spread the. rings of the binding elementf-or insertion of the book thereon; the improvement comprising an inclined feeding plate having a 1 discharge end :spaced the receiving ends of said backbone holding teeth, and anindexing roller at thedischarge end of said plate-and in advance of-said backbone holding teeth with itsperiphery adjacent the lower -'end's-thereof and adapted. to rotatably move thebindin g element along saidi'teeth into :posiengagement therewith.

'--1'8. In a 'bindi-ng machine adapted tosprea'd rings; fofpl'as-tic binding elements having: a back- "tion' to pass therebetweenwith its backbone into bone and spaced rings-extending therefrom to permit sheets tobe impaled thereon} said bindingmachine having a plurality or parallel spaced upright fingers adapted to extend between" the rings of-the -:b inding-' element and-engage the "backbone fthere'of and also having a F plurality -'of s'preadingfin'g ersadapted to engage the insides ofjthe-rings of the binding element and-to move in-alongitudina'l direction and nn'curl or spread the rings for-insertion'of the sheetstobe bound thereon, the improvement comprising an inclined feeding plate having a discharge end spaced in advance of the receiving ends of the backbone holding fingers of the binder and supporting the binding elements for downward movement therealong into registry with said backbone holding fingers, an indexing roller at the discharge end of said plate and at the receiving end of said backbone holding fingers, adjacent the lower. ends of said fingers, and means for driving said indexing roller to position the binding element to pass between said backbone holding fingers and be held thereby with the backbone thereof in an upright position.

19. In a, binding machine adapted to spread rings of plastic binding elements having a backbone and laterally spaced rings extending therefrom to permit sheets to be impaled thereon, said binding machine having a plurality of parallel spaced upright backbone holding fingers adapted to extend between the rings of the binder and engage the backbone thereof and also having a plurality of spreading fingers adapted to engage the insidesv of the rings of the binder and to move in a longitudinal direction and uncurl or spread said rings for insertion of the sheets to be bound thereon, the improvement comprising an inclined feeding plate having a discharge end in advance ment with said fingers, a motor, and a drive connection from said motor to said indexing roller.

20. In a binding machine adapted to spread rings of plastic bindingelements having a, backbone and laterally spaced rings extending therefrom to permit sheets to be impaled thereon, said binding machine having a plurality of parallel spaced upright backbone holding fingers adapted to extend between the rings of the binding element and engage the backbone thereof and also having a plurality of spreading fingers adapted to engage the insides of the rings of the binding element and to move in a longitudinal direction and uncurl and spreadthe rings for insertion of the sheets to be bound thereon, the improvement comprising an inclined feeding plate having a discharge end spaced in advance of the receiving ends of said backbone holding fingers and supporting the binding elements for downward movement therealong into engagement with said holding fingers, an indexing roller spaced forwardly of and beneath the discharge end of said plate and adjacent the receiving end of said backbone holding fingers, and adapted to receive and rotate each binding element discharged thereon against said holding fingers into position to pass "therebetween and engage the backbone thereof therewith, a motor, a driveconnection from said -motor to said indexing roller, means for adjustably moving said roller with respect to said hold ing fingersto accommodate various diameters of binding elements, and a gap closing plate interposed between the discharge end of said feeding plate and said indexing roller and connected with to said feeding plate. r 21. In a binding machine for use with thereof.

said roller to move therewith upon adjustment thereof and-so supported and guided as to mainthe backbone of the binding element, means for guiding the binding element into engagement with the fingers, and means operatively associated with the fingers and arranged to frictionally engage and rotate the binding elements to a position in which the fingers extend between the ring portion thereof and abut the backbone CHARLES EDWARD EMMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fileof this patent:

V UNITED STATES PATENTS Number i Name Date 2,257,714 Emmer Sept. 30, 1941 2,334,589 Spinner Nov. 16, 1943 

